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Email letters, June 25, 2013

I just thought that maybe someone should let your paper know how much of a non-issue panhandling is. A full-page spread on Wendell Faircloth was unwanted and, as far as I am concerned, a waste of space in the newspaper for which I pay.

He is not special and should not be getting free advertising from you. Those crosses he makes are not made from juniper unless that happens to be the particular scrap wood he found the day he made them.

As far as the rest of the people panhandling, consider their choices: a limited number of seasonal jobs the illegal aliens will get first or a limited number of day labor jobs at the day labor services that are usually filled by 8 a.m.

I am not saying that everybody holding a sign is an angel, far from it, but I, as one voter and taxpayer, would rather see our police force going after criminals instead of worrying about some poor schmuck standing beside the entrance to Walmart trying to beg a dollar.

MARIO L. AERICKOGrand Junction

As taxpayers financed splash pad, its hours should be restored

I moved here to be with my grandchildren, and one of our great treats is to go downtown to visit the splash pad. While we are downtown we shop, have lunch and patronize merchants.

One company reportedly told the city it would sue if the splash pad continued to be used full-time. So, sadly, now it is open only occasionally.

Yesterday we were fortunate to have it work, so we stopped with the boys. Within five minutes it was again turned off. We waited for an entire hour along with some other very angry parents and grandparents for it to re-open. It did not. Interestingly, a posted sign now states fountain usage is cut because of conservation of the recycled water.

The splash pad is a downtown destination, and if I owned a business frequented by all of us who use the splash pad, I would be even more upset than we who use it. I would expect some of my clientele to stop coming downtown.

Taxpayers — not one firm — paid for this entertainment. If one firm sees families outside of its business and finds it irritating and bad for business, that is too bad.

We want our splash pad back. According to one mom, no, she cannot afford to go to Lincoln Park on every hot day. I am sure she is not alone.

PAULA LYNNGrand Junction

Fiscal conservatives must weigh in on new council member

Fiscal conservatives in Grand Junction, please get involved by making your thoughts known on the upcoming appointment of the seventh member of the City Council. The remaining six members are the only people who get to vote on this one.

In the recent election, the people took the first step in changing the direction of our city government. Some in the community think that the Chamber of Commerce directed the outcome. I disagree. Most voters could care less who the chamber endorses. We voted the way we did because we were not happy with the arrogance displayed by the former council.

While we have made progress in attempts to rein in the big spenders, we have not yet impacted actual decisions. The votes to continue to end-run TABOR and to devote millions to the Avalon project prove this point.

The last thing we need is another member who shares the philosophy of the left wing of the council — Jim Doody and Bennett Boeschenstein.

Sam Susuras likes to tell people he is a conservative. His recent votes, however, indicate he thinks like Doody and Boeschenstein.

It is very possible that the vote could end up three to three. The city charter does not prescribe a way to break the tie, but it seems obvious that a special election is the only choice.

The three newly elected members need to be prepared for a battle and need to know their constituents support them. They should not be tempted to compromise on this very important issue.

Please contact councilors Susuras, Chazen, Brainard and Norris. You can leave a message by calling 244-1504, or you can find email addresses on the city’s website. Let them know that you want things to change and that they should vote for the candidate who will help implement a new direction.